{Faith} Do something nice for yourself.

By: Mandy Hill

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

I have this sweet friend, she is always encouraging the people in her sphere of influence to ‘Do something nice for yourself.’ Those of you who know her, have been encouraged by her in this very way, I am certain of it. Her words, while spoken often to myself personally, have only recently began to penetrate the walls of my heart.

Sometimes our life’s journey can be energy draining, to say the least. Add a handful of kids and a husband in there and you have your work cut out for you. Amen?! Any and all thoughts of being ‘kind’ to yourself and/or ‘doing something nice for yourself’ just spur guilty feelings and such endeavours get pushed to the wayside.

What if we were to look at such endeavours differently?! What if being kind to ourselves was exactly what God is asking us to do?

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)

Giving yourself room to be kind to YOU, in addition to all of your other roles is not a bad thing, sister. In fact, realistically speaking, taking care of yourself will likely make you a brighter light to this dark world. If you’re not happy yourself– how are you hoping to spread joy to others?

Here are a few ways that I am kind to myself:

– a grande Starbucks peppermint mocha
– a manicure (sometimes done by myself, or others at the salon)
– curling my hair
– a tall ice-filled glass of Pepsi-lime
– a coffee date with a friend
– a warm bath with a good book
– getting dressed up
– photography

Thank You God, for these treats that make my heart happy.

Taking a few moments to enjoy what makes YOU happy can make all the difference. If you feel comfortable sharing, please share with us what you do to be kind to yourself! And if you have a hard time doing something nice for yourself, intentionally carve out some time this week to really give it an honest try.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for special treats that can bring us happy moments. I pray that You will speak to us in times that we feel we are undeserving of such simple pleasures, and remind us that we have been called to be kind to all; including that of ourselves. I pray this in Your precious name, amen.